Coulee Recollections

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken nearly 400 sediment samples at the bottom of Lake Roosevelt from the U.S. border to Grand Coulee Dam. The sampling showed heavy concentrates of slag and toxic minerals, such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, Mercury and zinc, and toxic chemicals, in the upper reaches of Lake Roosevelt. EPA said the main source is the Teck Cominco Smelter near Trail, B.C.

A special Memorial Day Breakfast, commemorating the end of World War II 60 years ago and honoring local WWII veterans was held at the Vets’ Center in Electric City Monday morning where eight Grand Coulee Dam area veterans were honored including: Dick Brehens, Victor Pickett, Arlow Evers, Paul Krebs, Warren Byman, Earl Johnson, Jack Hilson and Matt Hackola.

20 years ago

Reports of a person jumping off the left side of Grand Coulee Dam Saturday night were unfounded, said local police and the Grant County Sheriff’s office. Witnesses reported seeing someone or something fall or jump from the top, bounce once, dip into the water and pop back up. The first report came in at 9:15 p.m., just before the start of the first Laser Light Show of the year. Sheriff Bill Wiester said it wasn’t a person, but possibly a rubber raft. Plant Protection personnel searched both sides of the river downstream from the dam to the bridge but found nothing.

The Star has an important notice in its Lost and Found column this week: Lost. A Bear skull during the Colorama Parade. Call if found. Local 633 number listed.

The Colville Business Council has appointed Debra Rosenbaum, a Colville member, as the tribal administration’s executive director. She was chosen for the $66,000-a-year job after a lengthly, nation-wide search netting 17 applicants, and four finalists.

LRHS’s Class of 55 students graduates this Saturday afternoon with Jami Adelle White, a 12-year vet with a near-perfect GPA of 3.97, serving as valedictorian, and Emily King and Elizabeth Avey-Gabriel, each with a 3.8 GPA, sharing the honors as co-salutatorians.

LRHS’s 14th annual commencement for a graduating class of 55, will be held at 8 p.m., Friday, June 7th with Junior Marshalls Nancy Kuiper, Jennifer Sanderson, Jeff Konzal and Jered Pederson leading the processional as the seniors march to their seats with the high school band playing Pomp and Circumstance, directed by Al Reeves, Jr. Gary Rice is the Salutatorian, Dean Pachosa, Valedictorian, and Brenda Boyd, class speaker. The class motto is “We look to the past with pride, and to the future with hope.”

Available In this week’s The Star Buyers Guide: For an Indian Fry Bread recipe, send $1.25 to FRY, to a Coulee Dam address; a must leave town,sell everything Moving Sale, Rose Bowl Trailer Court, located behind The Sage Inn Restaurant; and a perfect river view, 3,200 s.f. house in east Coulee Dam, listed at $82,500.

40 years ago

Burglars hit the TeePee Drive-In in Grand Coulee by breaking a front window with a large rock, then climbing through the window and over the deep freeze, stated Police Chief James Kessler. Money ($139.53) hidden in an ammo can on the floor behind the deep freeze was taken so it is possible that the burglars knew in advance where owner Jack Wright kept it. Nothing else in the drive-in was disturbed. The case is under investigation.

Local World War I veterans sponsored a Memorial Service at the Spring Canyon Cemetery on Friday, May 30 at 11 a.m. Paul Larson was the guest speaker and music was provided by the Coulee Dam Junior High School Band.